The work of making Paralympic sailing classification fairer and more athlete-centred is taking shape. Last week's IPC Classification Conference sent World Sailing's delegation home with a clearer sense that the federation is heading in the right direction — though the harder work is still ahead.
The conference drew International Federations, National Paralympic Committees, classifiers and experts from across the Paralympic Movement, all focused on implementing the 2025 IPC Classification Code. Its theme, "Classification: A Shared Responsibility," framed discussions that ranged from governance and education through to digital systems and athlete support. One detail that stood out to those present: the sheer breadth of federations wrestling with the same structural questions, each arriving at broadly similar conclusions through different routes.
The IPC's message throughout the week was consistent. Successful classification is not simply a technical exercise. It requires leadership, clear organisational ownership and genuine collaboration across an entire federation.
World Sailing has already been working along those lines, expanding its Compliance Action Plan well beyond rule-writing to bring governance, adaptive equipment, digital systems, classifier development and athlete support together as connected pieces of a broader programme. The aim is to build classification into how the organisation operates, rather than treat it as a separate technical function.
There was reassurance, too. Several initiatives World Sailing has already set in motion, including the Globocol classification platform, updated athlete guidance, regional education through Inclusive Development Programmes and ongoing classifier development, were reflected in the IPC's own strategic direction.
Para World Sailing Manager Hannah Stodel put it plainly: "One of the biggest messages from the conference was that classification is no longer simply about writing good rules. It's about creating a system that is fair, transparent and centred around the athlete."
The alignment with IPC thinking was encouraging, Stodel said, but she was clear that plenty of work remains. "We're building strong foundations that will support sailors, classifiers and Member National Authorities for years to come."
Practical testing of that work comes soon. Pilot events are planned in India and at the World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portugal, both to be used to refine the programme through real event delivery.
The broader picture from the conference is that implementing the new Code is a collective journey across Para sport, with International Federations actively sharing examples of good practice in governance, research, event delivery and athlete-centred services.
